Nearly thirty high school students recently completed Canyon State Electric's summer pre-apprenticeship program, gaining hands-on experience in the electrical trade over an eight-week period. This initiative, aimed at incoming juniors and seniors from the Mesa High School district's construction and technology education (CTE) programs, combined interactive classroom sessions with practical role-playing exercises.
High Demand for Skilled Labor
Sidney Hawkins, the Safety & Training Director at Canyon State Electric, highlighted the increasing need for skilled labor in the trades. “There’s a huge demand for skilled labor in the trades. These students were showing an interest in construction careers early on—we wanted to encourage that interest and develop it into a passion,” Hawkins explained. Chantelle Frazee Jacobs, the CTE Career Coach at Mesa High School, observed the program's impact: “I think they’ve all been exposed to a career pathway, and for some of them, this program opened up an opportunity they never considered before. They did it on a whim, and now this is what they want to do.”
Significant Personal Growth
Daniel Vargas, a senior at Mesa High School, discovered his interest in trades through landscaping work with his family. “College didn’t really feel like it was meant for me. When I saw electrical as a trade, I applied to see if I’d like it—and during these eight weeks, I’ve learned that I really enjoy electrical work,” Vargas shared. His mother, Brenda Vargas, noticed a transformation, stating, “He’s more responsible, more productive. He’s not on his phone or playing video games all day like he used to. He’s motivated now, and it’s such a big improvement.”
Celebrating Achievement
The program's graduation ceremony at Mesa High School honored students for their dedication and accomplishments, which included a wire-off competition and a group project proposal. Robert Hughes, the President of Canyon State Electric, recollected, “That’s how I started, as a high schooler helping on small remodeling projects in my hometown. We want these students to know that construction is a career path that can take them places, and Canyon State Electric’s doors are open when they graduate.”
Opportunities for Future Growth
Canyon State Electric offers a four-year, NCCER-accredited apprenticeship program for those aiming to become electrical journeymen. Jacobs emphasized the program's advantage, noting that students have already earned hours toward their apprenticeship. Vargas is one such student who plans to return to Canyon State Electric after graduation. “I’m just going to come back to this company after high school, get to work, and support my mom. I want to work hard and take care of the people I love,” Vargas stated.
Nearly thirty high school students graduated last week from Canyon State Electric’s summer electrical pre-apprenticeship program. Throughout the eight-week program, students experienced the electrical trade through interactive classroom sessions, hands-on education, and role-play exercises.
The students, incoming juniors and seniors, are all part of construction & technology education (CTE) programs in the Mesa High School district.
Huge demand for skilled labor
“There’s a huge demand for skilled labor in the trades. These students were showing an interest in construction careers early on—we wanted to encourage that interest and develop it into a passion,” said Sidney Hawkins, Canyon State Electric’s Safety & Training Director.
“I think they’ve all been exposed to a career pathway, and for some of them, this program opened up an opportunity they never considered before,” said Chantelle Frazee Jacobs, Mesa High School’s CTE Career Coach. “They did it on a whim, and now this is what they want to do.”
Big improvement
Daniel Vargas, an incoming senior at Mesa High School, knew he wanted to pursue the trades after years of working landscaping with his father and grandfather: “College didn’t really feel like it was meant for me. When I saw electrical as a trade, I applied to see if I’d like it—and during these eight weeks, I’ve learned that I really enjoy electrical work.”
“He’s more responsible, more productive. He’s not on his phone or playing video games all day like he used to,” said Daniel’s mom, Brenda Vargas. “He’s motivated now, and it’s such a big improvement.”
Canyon State Electric’s doors
Students were celebrated for their performance in a wire-off competition, a proposal group project
The program’s graduation ceremony, held at Mesa High School, celebrated the students’ work over the eight weeks and recognized their achievements. Students were celebrated for their performance in a wire-off competition, proposal group project, and demonstration of core values.
“That’s how I started, as a high schooler helping on small remodeling projects in my hometown,” said Robert Hughes, CSE President. “We want these students to know that construction is a career path that can take them places, and Canyon State Electric’s doors are open when they graduate.”
NCCER-accredited apprenticeship program
Canyon State Electric also offers a four-year, NCCER-accredited apprenticeship program for employees looking to become electrical journeymen.
Jacobs said, “(This program) has given (students) a leg-up because they’ve already earned hours toward their apprenticeship, and that’s huge in helping them pursue this after high school.”
Some students, like Vargas, have already decided on life after graduation: “I’m just going to come back to this company after high school, get to work, and support my mom,” he said. “I want to work hard and take care of the people I love.”
